MARINE RESEARCH
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Dr. Valerie Paul is the director of the Smithsonian Marine Station at Fort
Pierce. She, along with other staff, host more than 100 visiting scientists
each year who come to study the Indian River Lagoon.
Rice nurtured four people who served as the SMS support
staff. Julie Piraino came in 1976 to operate the electron microscope.
Others who followed included Hugh Reichardt, Sherry
Reed and Woody Lee. All of them are still working at SMS.
“We work together as a team,” says Rice. “They have been a
part of the planning. It certainly has worked out well.”
The Smithsonian’s presence grew when Rice pushed to
purchase property on Seaway Drive from the McArthur
Foundation and raised the funds to build a new laboratory.
The new building housed the Smithsonian Marine Station at
Fort Pierce, which opened in 1999.
“This facility is well equipped,” says Valerie Paul, who became
director when Rice retired in 2002. “We can do any type
of marine biological research here. We’ve also had geological
scientists and hydrologists — all kinds of scientific expertise
over the years.”
At least 50 scientists in all branches of the Smithsonian
have shared an interest in studying in Fort Pierce. Each year,
more than 100 scientists and collaborators use the SMS facility.
Paul makes sure that they have everything they need to
conduct their research. “The support staff here is amazing,” >>
Smithsonian Marine Station
701 Seaway Drive, Fort Pierce
The research laboratory is the workplace where scientists
and colleagues carry out studies of the plants and animals
that inhabit the Indian River Lagoon and other local
marine environments. Get a behind-the-scenes tour the
third Thursday of the month. The tours are free, but
registration is required. Call Laura at 772.462.6216.
/www.GardensOfPortStLucie.com
